MA Clinical Psychology students: Alejandro Vasquez, Illiana Gelles, Yvette Arias, Hilda “Nena” Higuera (Alternate), and Ana Flores (pictured below left to right) were recently selected as recipients of the MFT Educational Stipend! The MFT Consortium of Central Coast made five awards to students in the Central Coast region. AUSB is the Host school of the Central Coast Region of the California MFT Consortium. Congratulations Alejandro, Illiana, Yvette, Hilda, and Ana!

The California Department of Mental Health initiated the MFT Educational Stipend Program to award educational stipends to MFT students to address the statewide workforce need for mental health practitioners in undeserved communities. The State’s stipend program is funded through the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). The MFT Consortium of California is the administrator of the program. Sixty stipends of $18,500 each will be awarded statewide during the 2012-13 academic year. Recipients of the State stipends will be required to commit one year of employment at a mental health service agency operated by the state, a county, or an agency contracted by a governmental entity to provide mental health care.